When I think of ‘proven’ I think of it as an adjective, and the usage that really sticks with me is a proven formula.

Concrete is a proven formula of cement, and sand, and aggregate, and water, and mixing, and pouring, and setting. Concrete can construct. Concrete can evidence. Concrete proves.

Concrete isn’t pretty. In fact, when I think of concrete, I often think of [shudder] Le Corbusier and those hideous monstrosities of public housing.

I love this quote from Dali that Corbusier’s “death filled me with an immense joy. Le Corbusier was a pitiable creature working in reinforced concrete.”

Just look at this church in Firminy. Cathedrals have that sense of elevation – of helping us to look up and transcend to to the spiritual realm. This concrete cathedral makes me think of death more than eternity.

So when I think of concrete, and what it proves… what has it proven?… well that it’s ugly, but effective.